How to choose the best Vinyl Flooring for your money

Advances in manufacturing have made vinyl flooring not only a highly affordable and popular choice but also one of the most stylish, durable and versatile. There are so many styles, patterns and textures available that choosing the right one can be a little baffling. Here are some things to consider when choosing:

Why vinyl?

Vinyl floor covering is made largely from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) with other materials added. It can be significantly cheaper than natural coverings such as wood, tile and carpeting. It is durable, soft (it has a cushioned backing) and easy to clean. It is also available in a huge variety of textures, colours and patterns. All of this has made vinyl a popular floor covering.

Set a budget

It is vital to set a budget. Vinyl floor coverings vary in price with costs of higher-end products doubling or rising even more above the less costly. With the high number of products available it is easy to go over budget, so keeping it in mind throughout planning will prove helpful. Budget should also reflect the intended use of the vinyl.

Purpose

Along with budget it is important to be clear on the use the floor covering will get. Cheaper coverings are often thinner and less cushioned than more expensive products. If the covering is to be laid in a busy area – for example the hall of a home – then a thinner, less cushioned and therefore less hardwearing product may not be the best choice. In such areas a more hardwearing product will work better. Finding the floor covering that suits the purpose as well as the décor is the way to make the most of the budget available.

Area to be covered

Simple measurements of the area to be covered will help work out rough costs. When considering where the flooring is to be laid it is worth thinking about whether any doors will clear the new floor covering or need to be trimmed.

Format

Unfortunately, vinyl no longer comes only on a roll. Whilst this is still an option vinyl floor covering also comes in the form of tiles and even planks. For the professional fitter none of these will present a problem but those who choose to lay the floor covering themselves may find one sheet a little trickier than tiles or planks. There are fewer margins for error when cutting and a large roll can be unwieldy and hard to handle. In the end it depends upon the individual and their level of skill and confidence.

Choosing pattern and colour

There is a huge choice available so finding something to match colour scheme and character shouldn’t be a major problem. As with other decoration it is a matter of personal choice and what complements and fits. Vivid colours and patterns need a plain background, while neutral colours and simple patterns can complement more vibrant colour schemes. For example, coverings that emulate natural wood will go well in more traditional settings with strong patterns of colours.